MAGIC PAWA SHELLS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 71, 16 December 1933, Page 25

MAGIC PAWA SHELLS

« * * SEA PEARL AND SEA FOAM GO ADVENTURING

Deep down under the dark green sea, in a large rock cavern, lived two little mermaids. Their home was a sparkling, silver castle made of shells surrounded by beautiful gardens where sea-flowers grew in abundance. Their father, King Neptune, was always very busy and seldom had time to spare for his two beautiful daughters, Sea Foam and Sea Pearl.

When they were older the Princesses grew tired of their lovely grotto and wished to see the world, for they had never ventured far from their seahome. But the world was far away and the mermaids had heard their nurse, Mother-of-Pearl, say that none of the sea-folk could reach the world without the magic charm, a large and beautiful Pawa shell, which, with many others, was guarded by the old Witch of the Sea and only King Neptune possessed one of these valuable shells. The Princesses decided at last to persuade the Witch to give them a Pawa shell. On arriving at the Witch's cave, Sea Foam knocked on a rock nearby. In answer, an old, wrinkled creature hobbled out, saying, in a high-pitched voice: . “What do you mean bothering me at this time o’ the day?” . “We are the daughters of King Neptune,” answered Sea Pearl, “and have come to ask you for two Pawa shells. At first the old Witch would not listen to them, but after a lot of arguing she gave them each a Pawa shell, telling the mermaids never to part with them, for once above the sea they would lose their power to live without fresh air and also their immortality. With the Witch’s warning in their ears, and tightly clasping their shells, Sea Foam and Sea Pearl swam away, up through the sea, till they reached a small rock. Here they rested, breathing tor the first time the fresh, sweet air. For miles round the endless ocean spread, the only break being a large island at which the mermaids gazed curious- ‘ After they had rested, the two set off for the island, which they reached in a few minutes. On touching dry land the mermaids’ tails disappeared and in their stead were two human legs. . . The Princesses made their way into a little fishing village, whore everything was new and strange to them. The poverty and dirt filled them with horror anil, on the other hand, the villagers could not help looking with round eyes at the two strange and beautiful girls. Then some little boys started throwing stones at them and yelling derisively: "Ya witches! la witches', till the terrified mermaids fled before their onslaught and reached the beach in safe-tJ-But, to her dismay and fear, Sea Pearl dropped her Pawa shell into a deep pool, where it lay buried in the sand at the bottom. After a long and fruitless search the mermaids formed a last desperate plan Sea Foam would return to the old witch and get another shell and hasten back for her sister. So Sea Foam departed and left bea Pearl alone on the beach. Very soon Sea Pearl began to grow faint and she knew the witch’s words were true and that her life was slowly ebbing. Then suddenly King Neptune appeared on a sea horse and, on seeing his daughter, quickly reached her side. On grasping the situation he gave her, one z»f his shells and bade her hasten home. She was just in time and met Sea Foam returning with a shell, which, of course, was now not wanted. After careful nursing Sea Pearl was none the worse for her which was nearly a tragedy. King Neptune forgave his daughters and resolved to take them with him on his journeys so that they may see the world arid also to keep them from wandering again. —Original, “Little Shamrock,” Hastings.